West
Windsor, N.J. -- MCCC pitcher James Pugliese can finally stop
wondering where he will be suiting up next season. Scouted
by the pros during his freshman season at Mercer, Pugliese,
of Hamilton, was selected by the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday
in the 18th round of the 50-round MLB amateur draft.

The 6'3" right-hander will be missed on the mound for
the Vikings, says Head Coach Matt Wolski. During the 2011
season, he allowed just 34 hits and 11 earned runs. He struck
out 77 and walked 25, winning six of his eight contests.

In
post-season honors, Pugliese was named to the All-Region 19
and All-GSAC First Teams. He was selected as the no. 2 player
in the region and was named a Third Team All-American.

According
to MCCC Athletics Director John Simone, Pugliese is the first
MCCC baseball player to be drafted by the pros in more than
a decade.

Puglieses
is a graduate of Steinert High School, where he was a star
pitcher. Earlier in his career, he helped Nottingham to the
15-year-old Babe Ruth World Series.